Massachusetts (13-19) vs La Salle (13-19)-
Senior guard CJ Anderson posted a game high 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assist while sophomore point guard Luwane Pipkins added 15 points to lead Massachusetts over La Salle 69-67. The Explorers were led by senior center Tony Washington's 20 points and 12 rebounds.
After a defensive laden first half that saw both teams go cold , shooting a combined 31 percent from the field, a decent offensive flow defined the second half.
La Salle put up a valiant fight, led by 13 second half points from Washington on 5-9 shooting and BJ Johnson's 12 points on 5-8 shooting, however UMass balanced attack of Malik Hines, Carl Pierre and Anderson was too much for the Explorers to overcome. the trio combined for 27 of the Minutemen's 39 points to close out the contest late.
UMass shot 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from deep in the second half while La Salle finished with 42 percent shooting from the field and 14 percent shooting from deep. Minutemen won the rebounding battle 37-29 as well.
Massachusetts advances to the quarterfinal round where they will take on 5th seed George Mason.
George Washington (15-17) vs Fordham (9-22) -
George Washington took down Fordham 78-72 in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Championship behind a game high 22 points from sophomore guard Jair Bolden, 16 points and 7 rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench from Bo Zeigler and a monster double double, 11 points and 15 rebounds from sophomore forward Arnaldo Toro. Fordham was led by guard Joseph Chartouny 18 points, 8 assist and 15 points from forward Prokop Slanina.
First 15 minutes of the first half belonged to Fordhams 6'10 forward Prokkop Slanina. The junior big shot lights out sparking the Rams to a early 10 point lead with a 15 point first half on 6-7 shooting from the field and 3-4 shooting from three point territory. George Washington looked a stepped slow, committing 8 turnovers as they looked to be on the ropes. The Colonials took control in the last five minutes. Led by the hot shooting from sophomore guard Jair Bolden (10 points/ 4-6 FG), the inside play from sophomore forward Arnaldo Toro (10 points, 7 rebounds) and timely play from freshman guard Maceo Jack (7 points), GW went on a 13-2 run in the last five minutes to take a 39-38 first half lead.
Second half began as the first half ended, with Bolden handling things from the outside with his hot shooting and Toro controlling the paint. Fordham wouldn't go away, thanks to the scoring of guards Joseph Chartouny and Ivan Raut to put the Rams back in front 64-63 at the 6:56 mark. The Colonials got back control of the game behind an unconscious Bolden and high energy forward Bo Zeigler to close Fordham out on a 15-9 run.
George Washington will next face St Louis tomorrow night at 8:30 pm
